Thailand declares holiday for summit

Thailand declares holiday for summit

BANGKOK (AFP): The Thai government yesterday declared a long holiday weekend ahead of the first-ever Asia-Europe summit here March 1-2 to help ease traffic in badly congested Bangkok, a government spokesman said.

Both Thursday, Feb. 29, when the 25 heads of government are to arrive in Bangkok, and Friday, March 1, are now official national holidays, he said. That will give government employees a four-day-weekend.

The summit will bring together ASEAN leaders, with China, South Korea, Japan and the 15 members of the European Union (EU).